Grand Rapids LipDub video gaining traction

Georgia Taylor spray painted the words "Experience Grand Rapids" in giant letters on a green lawn for the LipDub video.

Lindsey Smith
/ Michigan Radio

The "likes" are outweighing the "dislikes" on the Grand Rapids LibDub video on YouTube (17,752 likes to 361 dislikes... and counting).

More than 1.3 million have watched the video so far.

In a press release, Rob Bliss, the director and co-executive producer of the video, called its viral spread an 'epidemic' (somebody should alert the CDC!).

And co-executive producer Scott Erickson said the video resonates with people:

"People who watch the video are very impressed by the enthusiasm and the level of community support we were able to capture. But they’ve also been amazed by the fact that this was done in a single take. At almost 10 minutes, it’s the longest LipDub on record. I think that’s captured people’s attention and encouraged them to share it with friends."

Today, Michigan Radio's Lindsey Smith's story on the LibDub video will air nationally. It will be featured on National Public Radio All Things Considered.

Linda Holmes wrote about Smith's story and the Grand Rapids LipDub video on NPR's blog "Monkey See":

It's certainly a technical accomplishment, and it's great fun, and it's a project that did many, many things right, down to the choice of the lesser-known live version of "American Pie," which includes an almost ghostly audience singalong at the first chorus that's just right for the moment when it appears.

But as much as it's a pure treat to watch, it's also quite moving, and very effective as a response to a list of cities that are allegedly dying...

It's a little counterintuitive, but a massive crowd ballet that specifically identifies no one turns out to be a surprisingly powerful translation of a impersonal economic projection to a story about individual people.